National Geographic Africa Camera Backpack, Brown (NG A5290)

I’ve been wanting a backpack just like this for a very long time, and this backpack is perfect for me to carry my tablet, my laptop, as well as my drone with batteries and controller, it’s got plenty of pockets for me to carry additional chargers, propellers, and small tools. This backpack is definitely worth the price, very good quality, plenty of pockets, perfect protection for cameras, also everywhere I go I get compliments.

This is a nice, sturdy backpack. It's a little heavy, but has a classic look. It doesn't look like a camera bag. the last thing I want is a bag that screams "I have an expensive DSLR in here! Steal me!". This looks like a canvas and leather knapsack. The arrangement of flaps and pockets is pretty good and its easy to store a camera and a few lenses. I keep my Fuji XT2, long telephoto lens and some smaller lenses in there. There is ample padding for everything and all your camera gear fits great. The top pockets can hold a water bottle, a rain jacket and a laptop or tablet. The top pockets are a LITTLE small. You're not going to be packing for a 3-day trip in here but it'll hold what you need for a day trip. You can strap a tripod to the outside. You could hold a water bottle on the outside but it'll probably slip down and fall out. there's no external mesh pockets on this. Its sturdy enough to be tossed into a Land Rover and taken through the desert. Or more likely, tossed into a Subaru and taken to the coffee shop.

I've had this backpack for 2 years now, and love it. It holds so much gear. Currently I have my DSLR body with a 18-300 lens mounted on it, a 14mm prime lens and a 10-20mm lens in the camera section, along with all three hoods. The top sections are very spacious. I have two small bags with batteries, cable release, cleaning supplies etc as well as a memory card case, a filter wallet, the camera manual and more in there, and I still have room for some snacks and a book. The side straps work well to secure a small tripod. I also like that it doesn't scream "camera backpack" so I worry a little less about my gear. The camera section has both a flap that velcros down as well as a zipper around three sides. It's definitely not the lightest backpack - I have a Lowepro I use for hiking for a day when I am carrying less gear. But for a backpack that will hold everything it's perfect to get you to your destination, it's perfect. I've taken it both by air and by car all over.

The bottom of the bag is made of the same canvas as the entire bag; the bottom is not covered or reinforced with anything extra, leading to water penetration and abrasions.The canvas corners protrude at the folds, which, when set down or drug along hard surfaces, will scuff and wear through the canvas. Look at the top of the bag: it's designed well, and has good weather protection: I liked this feature; I liked all other features of this backpack. Why did the designer skimp on the bottom protection? You just should not set down this bag on anything wet.

I bought one of these bags a few years ago. It was well built and rather rugged. The top was a thick leather as were the straps. I ended up giving it to a very good friend of mine. Last week I ordered the same bag. This one looks cheaply made and obviously not leather. It's going back in the morning.

too small returning the bag

This bag is outstanding. I bought it for a long trip to Africa. It's named well. What I really love about the bag is it's ability to carry a small camera and lenses while leaving a reasonable amount of room for supplies you might need say in the sahara for a week. It's help up nicely and survived many days strapped to the side of my camel exposed to the elements. The camera compartment is small but fit my Leica M9 with a 50mm summicron and two extra lenses (35mm Summi and a 90mm Summi) perfectly. It's one of my favorite bags for the Leica.

So far I am liking this bag. I have been looking for a laptop/camera bag for a while and this one seems to be perfect. I am able to carry a 15in laptop, Canon T6, 2 lenses, a few cords in the small pockets, and my Switch in the top area. I will most like swap out the laptop with my iPad from time to time. The bag is a bit on the heavier side, but I do also have a good bit inside it. I don’t think I’ll be carrying it too far for the most part, so that shouldn’t be an issue. It is also made of good quality material.

Great

I upgraded from the smaller version A5280, which I used for more than 5 years. There's an understated toughness to the look of this series of bags which is very nice. The A5290 is a lot bigger than the smaller one, and can fit a laptop, camera and lens, and an additional jumper/windbreaker; this makes it quite suitable for longer trips out.